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BTA Names Sadowsky Executive Director

Published March 17, 2010

PORTLAND, OR (BRAIN)—The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has chosen Rob Sadowsky as its new executive director.

Sadowsky brings more than 20 years of non-profit experience to the BTA, most recently at the Active Transportation Alliance located in Chicago. Sadowsky had been with the organization for nine years, three years on the board of directors and six years as its executive director.

In addition to his work with the Active Transportation Alliance, Sadowsky also serves on the boards of the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking and Walking.

“We are overjoyed to have Rob join us in the Pacific Northwest. He not only brings strong experience with bicycle and active transportation issues, he also brings deep organizational development and strategic skills. With his experience on local and national issues, we are confident that he is the right person to advance the bicycling movement for Oregon,” said board chair Mary Roberts.

The addition of Sadowsky to the BTA concludes a recruitment process that involved input from BTA members and non-members alike as well as key people throughout the cycling community nationally.

Sadowsky leaves the Active Transportation Alliance having grown the budget of the organization from $1 million to $3 million and from a staff of 10 to more than 30. During his time at the Active Transportation Alliance, he oversaw a successful rebranding of the organization from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to the Active Transportation Alliance, the development of a 20 year strategic plan for cycling in the Chicago area, and the creation of a professional services organization developing non-motorized transportation plans to numerous Midwest communities.

"I am proud to be coming to Portland, the premier bicycling city in America. I'm equally proud to be joining the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. The BTA has accomplished a lot in its history, yet it is important to remain assertive and proactive in ensuring that Portland stays at the forefront of the bicycle movement in the United States and that momentum is brought to other Oregon communities. I look forward to this new challenge and bringing my management skills to assist BTA in building a strong movement around bicycling and mobility," Sadowsky said.

Sadowsky will be making arrangements for moving to Portland officially joining the BTA July 1. “I fell in love with Portland after visiting in 2007 during a conference. This opportunity is a perfect blend of my skills, my passions and my personal interests."

He will continue in his role in the national cycling movement serving on the boards of the League of American Cyclists and the Alliance for Biking and Walking.